FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3525, 4 October 1921, Page 49

FOOTBALL.

Mr Neilson’s collapse in the dressingroom after the third test match was so eerious that for a time his ease was regarded as desperate. Those who attended to him thought for a moment that he was gone, but vigorous measures, which included pouring a bottle of spirit over him and rubbing it in, and massage with rouge towels, at length restored circulation and life. It was a close call. A team of 30 players under the auspices of the French Rugby Union will sail from France on May 15 next, and after touring through Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, will return to France in September, 1922. The return journey will be made via America, and two matches wall be played in California and two in Canada. The expenses of the trip are being guaranteed by the Australian, New Zealand, and South African Unions. At a recent meeting of the Taranaki Rugby Union six players came up for sentence for indulging in rough play. Four of them were warned off for the remainder of the season, and the other two were severely cautioned. TEEGRAPHIC LEAKAGE. WELLINGTON. September 27. The Postinasier-general (the Hon. J. G. Coates) stated tc-day that in connection with the divulgence of the contents of the cablegram to a- South African newspaper with reference to the Maoris-Springboks football match, three members of the Napier telegraph staff have been suspended. Mr Coates added that the matter was being further investigated. October 1. Close inquiry into the matter of the cable leakage in connection with a cable sent to South Africa bv the press representative travelling with the Springboks regarding the Maoris has been made by responsible officials of the Post and telegraph Department, with the result that three officers on the staff of the Napier Telegraph Office have been dismissed, and one has been suspended. It is stated that in all probability the persons alleged to be implicated will be prosecuted for a grave breach of the regulations governing the receipt and sending of telegraphic messages. OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL? CHRISTCHURCH. September 27. A meeting of the Management Committee of the Kanterbury Rugby Union was held to-night. The Secretary of the New Zealand Union wrote as follows: —"The attention of my committee has been drawn to the Press Association message of September 23, stating that the president of the Canterbury Rugby Union has unofficially approached the League authorities with a view to the amalgamation of the two codes. I am directed to ask whether this step was taken with the knowledge and consent of your union, and whether your union has anything to report upon the matter.” Mr S. F. Wilson (president of the Canterbury Union) said he had expressly stated that tli© union had nothing to do with his suggestion. Whatever he had done was done off his own bat, and whether it was wise or not. he was prepared to take the responsibility. Had the matter been handled as he thought it. might have been by the Mayor of Christchurch (Dr Thacker, M P.), some good might have come from it. The League Executive said it had never received his letter. The Mayor said they had. Where the letter was evidently only the Mayor knew. Mr C. Buchanan said the Press Association message stressed the point that Mr Wilson’s action had been unofficial. Mr Wilson: “This is the only matter tlie New Zealand Union has written us about for some time. They thought they would get a ‘bite.’ ” It was decided to reply to the New Zealand Union stating that Mr Wilson’s letter to the Mayor of Christchurch had been sent.-.without the knowledge or consent of the Canterbury Union. Mr A. Hey a«ked if there was not a letter from the New Zealand Union asking that charges should be formulated in connection with the New South Wales match. Mr Wilson: “All we have heard about that was the Press Association message. There is no letter. ’ Mr Buchanan: "That's a pity : we could easily have formulated charges.” W AIIIEMO-WAIKOU A ITT v. NORTH OTAGO. A very even game between WailieinoWaikouaiti and North Otago was played at Oanrartt on Saturday, and resulted in a draw, each side scoring 9 points. North Otago played against a north-westerly wind in the first spell, and the second spell against a south-westerly. Ail the scoring was done in the first spell. The visitors drew first blood. Townsend (Waikoitaiti) scoring a try. which was converted by Hur.n. Ross (Waikouaiti) then added to tlie visitors’ score by dropping a good goal. Waihemo-Waikouaiti 9 points. North Otago nil. After a passing tush by the local team Stewart scored a try. which was unconverted. North Otago 3—9. After this Mollison (North Otago) scored two tries, loth of which were unconverted, making the score 9 points all. In the second srtell play was very fast, both teams being eager to score. Each side gave a splendid exhibition of back play', and the defence left little to be desired. WADI KMC) B v. PORT CHALMERS. Waihomo B. a Palmerston team, played Port Chalmers at Mussel Bay on Saturday afternoon. Though late in file season for football, the match evoked a good deal of interest locally. The home team won by 26 points to 6. For the visitors, Dreaver scored a try (unconverted), and Bray kicked a penalty goal. For the Port Chalmers team Hardy scored a try, which was converted by Maxwell, and a try by Duncan was converted bv Parson, who also dropped a coal and put four penalties over. The ’.Liters were afterwards entertained by Mr W. Watson (president! and members of the Port Chalmers Football Club. PIRATES v. CLUTHA. A team representing the Pirates Club met the Clutha team at Bak-luthn on Saturday, end after a very friendly game won by fi point® to 3 points. The weather was splendid, and the ground was very hard. The Clutha forwards were slightly hettei than the Pirates pack, hut the visiting hacks were superior. Tries were scored for Pirates by M'Phce and Borthwi* k, and G S Brnitli kicked a goal from a penalty.

A 100 yards footballers’ race was also run. players entering from both teams. About 12 started in the race, which was won by G. S. Smith. LEAGUE FOOTBALL. AUSTRALASIANS’ TOUR. LONDON, September 28. Australasia defeated Bradford by 63 points to 3. The match was played in perfect weather. The visitors: attacked from the commencement. Horder got five tries and Blinkhorn and Burge three each. Burge converted two and kicked a penalty goal.— THE FIRST TEST. LON DON, October 1. The following represented Australasia in the first test: —Fraser, Horder, Vest, Craig, Blinkhorn, Johnston, Thompson, Pearce, Prentice, Ryan, Gray, Burge, and Watkins. England forced the game, and 10 minutes after the start Stone scored a try, which was unconverted. Forceful play followed, and Australasia’s efforts to cross were reworded by Blinkhorn scoring a try, Craig converting. The game was well contested, but there were many mistakes. There was little difference in the scrums, but the advantage went to England. At half-time the score was: Australasia, 5 points; England, 3. Seven penalties were awarded to England in the first half, and five to the Australasians. Vigorous play was witnessed in the second session, England’s footwork beating the v sitors, who were unable to get going. After much close play Stockwell broke away and scored a try, which was unconverted, making the final scores: England, 6 points; Australasia, 5 points. The weather was fine, and the attendance totalled 20,000.—A. and N.Z. Cable. ROOPE ROOSTER COMPETITION. AUCKLAND, October 2. Tn the final of the Roope Rooster competition, City 30 points beat Maritime 14 points. ASSOCIATION. BROWN SHIELD. AUCKLAND, October 2. In a Brown Shield match Auckland defeated South Auckland by 6 goals to nil. SEASON’S RESULTS. The following are the final positions at the end of this season of matches played under the jurisdiction of the Otago I'ootball Association: — FIRST GRADE. i, a t a i a ? • . & «? £cJ a 1 t g g s'3 §■ Ps (£ .S Q O O 5? O Old Roys ... 15 9 3 3 42 23 21 Kaitangata ... 15 8 4 3 32 IB 19 Northern ... 14 7 3 4 29 13 18 Mornington 14 6 3 5 34 25 17 Maori Hill ... 14 4 7 3 21 30 II Southern ... 14 4 8 2 20 37 10 Mount Zion 14 3 7 4 18 35 10 y.M.C.A. ... 14 1 7 6 11 29 8 SECOND GRADE. Southern ... 11 11 0 0 39 10 22 Mornington ... 12 10 2 0 43 23 20 Northern ... 12 5 6 1 32 26 11 Waifcati ... 11 5 6 0 19 36 10 Maori Hill ... 12 2 9 1 10 30 5 Y.M.G.A.* ... 10 0 10 0 6 24 0 •Y.M.C.A. withdrew early in the competition. THIRD GRADE. Christian Bros. 15 13 2 0 59 10 26 Southern A 15 10 1 4 44 19 21 Northern ... 14 9 3 2 38 24 20 Technical College A ... 14 10 4 O 31 IB 20 Fairfield ... 14 7 5 2 26 21 16 Mornington ... 14 5 6 3 28 57 13 High School ... 14 5 8 1 38 33 11 Maori Hill ... 14 6 8 1 27 33 11 Y.M.C.A. ... 14 3 7 4 25 35 10 Old Boys ... 14 4 8 2 28 27 10 Southern B ... 14 2 10 2 19 52 6 Technical College B ... 14 1 12 1 19 46 3 FOURTH GRADE. Christian Bros. 13 12 1 0 58 7 24 Y.M.C.A. Swifts 13 8 2 3 40 15 19 Post and Telegraph ... 13 8 3 2 37 10 18 Northern A ... 13 7 3 3 32 15 17 1 Y.M.C.A. Diamonds 12 5 2 5 25 12 15 Technical College ... 13 6 6 1 21 31 13 Southern ... 12 4 6 2 IS 41 10 I Fail-field ... 13 .1 7 3 18 3! 9 i Mornington ... 12 2 7 3 12 32 7 y.M.C.A. Rovers ... 12 2 7 3 8 40 7 High School ... 13 3 9 1 12 22 7 Northern B 13 2 0 2 .12 38 6 FIFTH GRADE. Maori Hill ... 11 9 0 2 32 6 20 Port Chalmers D. 11.5. ... 10 6 3 1 25 17 13 High School B 12 4 3 5 34 20 13 Southern A ... 13 4 4 5 20 23 13 High School A 10 5 4 1 20 16 31 Y.M.C.A. ... 12 5 7 0 26 34 10 Mornington ... 11 1 7 3 19 33 5 Southern B ... 7 0 6 1 1 7 1